Ode to sarma aka how to cure the hangover

These days there are loads of texts about curing hangover all over. Variations on this theme are incredible, from those which can piss you off (pharmaceutical propaganda) to those which can make you laugh (Food Republic).

Not to go into details and analyze all those evil substances which cause hangover, we have three words for you: water, water, water. During drinking, in between, before going to sleep, even though it eventually makes you sick. Sickness is your friend in this situation.

Besidest water, a hearty dinner beforehand also helps, as well as a shot of olive oil. Not to mention cautious consumption of alcoholic drinks. But, we all know this scenario is not going to happen, so let's move on to more practical points. Personally, my favorite hangover is always the one from (good) wine, the most horrible and painful one caused by spirits, and somehow the most disgusting one is the beer hangover.

But, let's forget the part about drinking. We are sure you can manage that all by yourself. Let's talk about what you need the day after. It can also be also summed up in three words. Apart from the ones already mentioned, you need: sour, grease and carbs. It's best to combine all three. From both our personal good experience and consultations with kindred adventurers, we considered several solutions which might help you. Of course, if you're not at that stage when just a look at the kitchen makes you sick.

Some people glorify Bloody Mary with celery and fresh cucumber, which you still might want to avoid considering the season (fresh cucumber, Bloody Mary is perfectly alright). In any case, this "tomato-fraction" starts the day with the above mentioned cocktail or any other tomato-based juice/soup/sauce. This makes a totally decent, non-aggressive and light introduction to detox. Probably makes no sense to have sarma (sour cabbage meat rolls) for breakfast. Oops, did someone mention sarma?!

We have come to the second option to cure your alcohol-damaged stomach. Greasy. Bacon, sausages, cured ham, eggs, preferably all mixed together in any way you are capable of preparing it. A good burger can also do it, now that Zagreb if filled with burger joints, it shouldn't be a problem. All kinds of sour stuff go well with meat: pickled gherkins, paprika, onions, sauerkraut.

Sauerkraut brings us to the winner in the hangover cure category. Sarma, sarma, sarma! Yes, this fantastic combination of sourness with a meaty-greasy component, boosted with mashed potato, is probably the best friend to everyone prone to alcohol overdose. Our hat off to duck with mlinci, pašticada or roast suckling pig, mum's soups and goulashs. But sarma is the thing you want to have ready when you're trembling in hypoglycemia, while even the gentlest sounds of the New Year's Concert sound like an army of evil zombies out to nibble on your brain.

The ideal situation is to have a whole pot full of this life-saving treasure, and in a less favourable situation you should book your sarma in one of the local restaurants. Maybe a bit complicated on January 1st, but at all other times, it does the trick. We're not joking about booking your sarma. Until the moment when you manage to crawl out of the bed, you might lose your healing portion. And then you know the drill, you start with the sarma, it calls for an occasional beer, and we're back to the old one: fighting fire with fire!